Telephone selecting system.



' PATENTED JANflO, 1905.

' W. D. WATKINS.

TELEPHONE SELECTING SYSTEM.

APPLIGATIOK FILED MAX 1, 190s.

lmm l azgm- EATENTED JAN. 10, 1905.

W. D. WATKINS.

TELEPHONE SELECTING SYSTEM.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 1, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED JAN. 10, 1905.

W. D. WATKINS.

TELEPHONE SELEGTING SYSTEM.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY I 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Milka, 1990.9101- 5' Edit PATENTED JAN. 10, 1905.

W. D. WATKINS. TELEPHONE SELECTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES Patented January 10, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

TELEPHONE SELECTING SY STEM.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 7 79,892, dated January10, 1905.

for use on party-lines; whereby all of the subscribers telephones willbe placed Wholly under the control of an operator at the centralstation, it being impossible for any one sub- .scriber to call anothersubscriber except through the intervention of central. I A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a system by means of whichit willbe impossible for any subscriber to break in on the line while thelatter is inuse or to call the central station before the operator atthe latter point has answered a previous call.

A still further object of the invention is to provide at eachsubscribers station an automatic switching mechanism by means ofwhichthe number of the subscribers telephone is signaled to centralautomatically onthe removal of the receiver from the receiverhook." I Astill further object of the invention is to provide means operable,on'the return of the receiver to thehook for immediately cutting out'atelephone and'rendering it impossible for the subscriber to usethetalking-circuit until he is again connected by the operator at central.

A still further object of the invention is to so arrange and constructthe mechanism forming part of the system as topermit its ready japplication to existing telephone systems.

WVith these and other objects in view the lnvention consists in thenovel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed outin the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in theform, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be'madewithout departing from the spirit or Application filed Meyl, 1903.Serial No. 155,193.

sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a diagram of a telephoneselecting system arranged in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is anelevation of a telephone switchbox, the door being partly open,illustrating the receiver-hook-controlled mechanism for signalingcentral and the arrangement of the switches controlled by theelectromagnets of the call-bell for closing the talking-circuit. Fig. 3is a plan view of the gravity-track "connected to the receiver-hook andforming a part of the circuit-closing device arranged at each localstation for slgnahng central. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectlonal elevationof the same on the lined A of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a similar View on theline 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig.

6 is an elevation of the selecting mechanism and its containing-casing.Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a circuit-closing means forming apart of the selecting mechanism. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectionalelevation through the lid 01: cover of the telephone switch-box,illustrating the arrangement of the electromagnets' of the call-bell andthe circuit-closing -means controlled thereby. Fig. 9is a detailperspective view of the auxiliary armature and the circuit-closing meansunder its control. I

' Similar characters of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts throughout the several figures of thedrawings.

- In the drawings, A indicates a central sta' tion, and B and C local orsubscribers sta---- tions, the several stations'being connectedbyline-wires land 2.

At the central station is an indicating de vice 3, connected between the,two'line-wiies and energized by a batterye each time the circuit on themain line is closed; The main line may be grounded, as indicated at 6.The construction of each subscribers station is the same, and theconnections fromthe linewires 1 and2 are through local Wires 114: and 73, respectively. Y

.In each subscribers station is placed a se lecting device including anelectromagnet,

which will be energized each time the operator at central closes thecircuit by-the key or lecting device may be of any suitable charactercapable of closing the calling-circuit after movement to a predetermined.position,the position or extent of movement being different at eachsubscribers station and being under the control of the central stationexclusively.

It is preferred to employ a selecting mechsomewhat similar toanism of aconstruction that illustrated in an application for Letters Patent filedby me on August 29, 1902, under Serial No. 121,531, and to whichreference is made for exactdetails of construction, and whentheapparatus is to be applied to telephone systems already in use it ispreferred to place this selecting mechanism in a separate box or casingdistinct from the telephone and preferably disposed at a suficientdistance therefrom to prevent annoyance t9 the subscriber from theclicking sound made at all the stations when central is calling any oneof them.

In the selecting mechanism, 11 indicates a frame provided near its upperend with arms for the support of one or more electromagnets 12, theframe being preferably formed of diamagnetic metal. The central bar ofthe frame is provided with rearwardly-bent arms 13, having openings forthe reception of pivot pins or screws of a soft-iron armature 1 1 foractuating the disk of the selecting mechanism. The central portion ofthe main bar is cutout to form a tongue 15, which is bent forwardly at aright angle to the plane of the frame and forms asupport for some of thelocking members. Near the lower end of the frame are two forwardly-bentarms 16, having suitable openings for the recp tion of the pivot pins ofthe locking and guard disks, and the extreme lower end of the main baris bentforwardly to form a horizontally-disposed bar 17. The soft-ironarmature 14: is attracted each time. the magnets are energized and isreturned to initial, position by a spring 21 when theinagne ts aredeenergized. I i To the main frame is pivoted a bar 22, having at itsfree end'a tongue 23, passing under the arm 15 of the frame and providedwith a,

depending arm or red 24, having a laterallye bent lower end 25,which'isvdisposed immediately above a spring-contact'26, secured at oneend to the frame or casing and electrically connected to acurrent-conducting wire- 27. The contact 26 is arranged immediatelyabove a contactplate 28 ,carried by the casing, and electricallyconnected to a current-conducting wire 29. The arm 22 is e'hgaged andheld in elevated position by a catch 30, formed of a strip of metalhaving an integral counterbalance portion 31 normally holding the catchin engaging position. This catch is pivoted on a pin. 32 at one SlClG ofthe arm 13, and its" engagementwith the arm 22 isautomatie, the

to a position immediately under said bar.

arm 22 being elevated to engaging position by the inward movement of thelower end of the armature 14: each time the electromagnets aredeenergized, said armature having a projecting finger 33 for-engagementwith the under side of the arm. The arm 22 need only be elevated afteran operation of the selecting mechanism of which it forms a part, andwhile the finger 33 comes into contact therewith at each movement of thesoft-iron, armature a movement of the arm is only effected after saidarm has been dropped to cause the engagement of'the contacts 26 and 28.T 0 permit the return movement, the under side of the catch is curved orinclined, so that contact withthe locking-arm serves to force the catchoutwardly until the arm reaches the locking position, after which the.counterweight of the catch moves the latter to locking position.

The locking-catch is released by means of a bell-crank lever 35; pivotednear the'out'er end of the arm 13 and having a horizontal arm extendingunder the counter-weighted end of the catch and a vertical arm adaptedto be engaged and moved to release the catch by a projecting pin on theguarcl-disk.-

The lower arms 16 of theframe have threaded openings for the passage ofpivot-screws which engage the opposite ends of spindles 38 and 39',

carrying, respectively, the locking-disk 40 and -to the spindle and atthe opposite end to a.

stationary pin 43, projecting from the frame, these springs serving toturn the disks to an initial position after each operation of the selecting mechanism and, further, to act in connection with the armatureto effect a rapid oscillatory movement of said guard-disk. TThelocking-disk 40 is provided at one point in its periphery with a notch{L5, which. is adapted to receive the lower portion of the locking-arm22 when the notch has been mplvled 11s disk is further provided with anumber of peripherally-disposed ratchet-teeth 4:6, and within the-lineof the teeth is a row of openings 47 being adapted for the reposed arm4t9, which is freetoturn on thespindle 38 to any desired position, andthen locked by the engagement of its pin in one of the openings 47The'extreme' end-of the arm 49 is projected beyond'the periphery of thelockingdisk and forms an extension of the disk-tooth circuit to effect amovement of the lockingdisk until the locking-arm 22 and the notch 4C5are in alinement. The construction permits of the manufacture ofthedevicebymp a l phone .on the-anathema of a number equal-to the numberof ratchet- -teeth,.said'openings ceptionofa pin &8, carried by aradially-disprovided with asimilar mechanism and the arm .48 beingadjusted at an angle from the notch depending upon the number of thetelephone. The locking-disk receives a stepby-step rotative movement andis locked in position at each movementby a pivoted pawl 51, carriedby'one of the arms 16 and held by a spring 52. The disk 41 has a toothedperiphery and is provided with two laterally-projecting pins 53 and 54,disposed at different distances from the center of rotation of saidguard-disk. This disk receives a comparatively rapidosCillatorymovement, and at the beginning of the movement the pin 54 moves fromcontact with the tail of the pawl 51, which is normally held away fromthe locking-disk when the device is not in operation, and at the sametime the pin 53 moves beyond the lower inclined'end of the depending armof the bell-crank' lever 35 and is retained outside the arm until thelocking-disk has been moved to releasing po- 'sition, at which time theguard-disk will be returned to its normal position by the spring 42, andthe bell-crank lever will be moved in such manner as to raise the catch30 and remove the same from engagement with the locking-arm 22, andafter this the pin 54 will move to release the disk-locking pawl 51.

Secured to the lower end of the armature 14 is a pawl-bar 60, preferablyformed of .a sheet of stamped metal, having one end pivoted tothearmature and maintained in proper position by a spring'61, carried bythe armature and extending inside the bent portion of the pawl-bar. As aconvenient means for bolding the spring in position the armaturestopscrew 62 is provided with an auxiliary nut 63, which confines thespring in place and at the same time acts as a jam-nut for holding thestop-screw in adjusted position. The pawl- I bar carries two pawls 64and 65, adapted, re-

spectively, to engage the-teeth of the locking and guard disks, and isfurther provided'with a downwardly-bent inclined lug 67, which isadapted to engage with the upper end of a" screw 68 when the soft-ironarmature is attracted and the bar is moved outwardly.-- The screw 68 iscarried by a threaded opening in the lower horizontal arm 17 of, theframe.

In the operation of the device the central station energizes thecircuit, and the disks of all the subscribersstations movesimultaneously until the notch 45 of the locking-disk at the station ofthe selected subscriber arrives under the'locking arm 22. On the lastimpulse sent by the operator at central the circuit-is held closed for aconsiderable period of time and the guard-disk 41 is allowed to returnto its initial position, the pin 53 engaging the bellcrank lever 35andmoving the horizontal arm of thelatter upward under the counterweight ofthe catch 30 and moving said catch to releasing position.- The lockingarm 22 then falls toits lowest position and as the depending arm 24,carried by said arm, forces the con- When the circuit is broken by theoperpulse, the armature 14 is releasedand is moved by its spring untilthe arm 33', carried by the armature, engages under the locking-arm 22and forces the latter into engagement with the catch 30. This raises thedepending arm 24 and breaks the circuit. between the wires 27 and 29.The locking-disk then returns to its initial position under theinfluence of its spring and the parts are again in readiness for anotheroperation.

- On reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the box or casing whichcontains the selecting mechanism isseparate and distinct from the phoneand for convenience is provided with three binding-posts 70, 71, and 72,the binding-post 70 being connected to the wire 27 and the binding-post71 being connected to the wire 29, and from said binding-post 71 extendsa wire 29 to ground. The bindingpost 72 is connected by a wire 73 to themain line-wire2, and from thence the wire is continued through theelectromagnet 12 and at the opposite end of the coil of the magnet is,

binding-post 72, electromagnets 12, to wire 29, to binding-post 71, towire 29 and ground, these impulses continuing during the operation ofthe selecting mechanism and all of the remaining portion of the localsystem being cut out, owing to the break between the contacts 26 and 28.

80 designates the electromagnets of an ordinary form of call-bell,includinga polarized armature and clapper-rod, and said electromagnetsare connected in a circuit leading from the wire 73 through a wire 81 tobinding-post 82, hinge 83, wire 84, electromagnets 80 wire 85, hinge 86,wire 87, bindingpost 88, and wire 89 to binding-post 70, and from thebinding-post 70 the circuit continues through Wire 27 to spring-contact26, so that when the selecting mechanism is properly operated and thedepending rod 24 is dropped a circuit will be established, as beforementioned, and through the contacts 26 and 28 to wire 29, binding-post71, and wire 29 to ground. The current entering the wire 73 fromthe'main line-wire 2 will be divided, a portion flowing through theelectromagnet 12 of the selecting mechanism and maintaining the armaturethereof in attracted position and erated each time the circuit is closedat the stances be accomplished except by the operaspring circuit-closers94, 95, and 96, connect- Wanna call-bell, the call-bell continuing tosound so long as the circuit is maintained closed by the operator atcentral. By the mechanism thus far described the central stationmaysounol a call-bell of any desired subscriber without soundingthe-bell of-any other subscriber, and. while all of the selectingmechanisms are op central station this selecting mechanism may be placedat any desired distance from the phone in order that the clicking noisemade may not annoy the subscriber, who will only be notified of the factthat the line is in op eration when his call-bell is sounded.

To the casing or other support, at a point adjacent to theelectromagnets 80, is secured a small bracket or clip 90, forming apivotal support for a rod 91, formed of iron or similar magnetizablematerial and provided with an end portion bent at right angles anddisposed Within the field of force of the electromagnet 80, preferablyata point slightly above the poles of the magnet, but so arranged as nottointerfere with the free movement of the polarized armature whichoperates the bell. The rod 91 is provided with a dependingportion whichis bentoutwardly and down- Wardly, as indicated at 93, to form acircuitclosing means arranged adjacent to the three ed, respectively, tocurrent-cond ucting wires 97, 98, and 99, The circuit-closers 94 and 95are normally in contact with each other, while the springwontact 96 isnormally disengaged from both." The spring 96 has an offset portion 96arranged within the path of movement of the portion 93 of the arm, sothat when the portion 92 of said arm is attracted on the 'closing of thecircuit the depending portion of the arm will be moved into engage mentwith the otfset 96 and'force the springcontact 96 into engagement withthe contact 9a and move contact 94 away from contact with the spring 95.I The result of this op eration is to place the subscribers transmitterand receiver in circuit with the main line-an operation which cannotunder any circumtor at central, and then only by first operating theselecting mechanism until the desired number is reached, the selectingmechanism closing the circuit through the magnets 89, causing thesounding of the call-bell and the movement of the rod 91 in themannerdescribed, so that when the subscriber removes his receiver fromthe hook he is connected to the line and can communicate with central orwith any other subscriber which central has connected to the line.

The receiver-hook 101 is pivoted on a stud 102 in the usual manner andextends out through a suitable opening in theside of the and secured inany suitable switch-box forthe reception of the receiver.

lnythereceivenhook bar is formed an opening-l93'forithe reception of thehorizontal arm 104 of a verticaiiy-disposed bar 105, guided in bracketsprojecting inwardly from the lid of the switch-box. The bar 105 isprovided at its upper end with a spring 106, having an inclined forwardedge and at its upper end being bent laterally to form an inclinedsurface for engagement with a corresponding inclined surface at the endof an arm 93', projecting from the lower end of the depending,

portion 93 of the rod 91. The positions of these parts are such thatwhen the subscriber removes the receiver the receiver-hook will beforced up'by the spring 107 in the 1isualmanner, and the inclined upperend of the spring 106 will be forced over the inclined end of the arm 93until it reaches a point above said 'arm and is then slightly out ofcontact. If the conversation is finished and the subscriber replaces thereceiver on the hook, the descending movement of the latter will causethe forwardlyinclined edge of the spring 196 to engage the arm 93 andforce the latter outward, causing the armature portion 92 of said arm tobe raised to initial position or a point slightly above the line of thepoles of the electromagnets 80, the arm being maintained in thisposition by engagement with the springcontact 96, or an auxiliary springor friction device of any desired character may be employ'ed for thepurpose. The replacing of the 9 5 receiver on the hook permits thecontact 96 to'move from engagement with the. contact 9st, and the latterthen moves into engagement with the contact 95, the subscriberstalkingcircuit being cut out and the parts restored to initial positionin readiness for a subsequent operation.

Before describing the arrangement of the circuits closed by the movementof the arm 91- I will first describe the construction and arrangement ofthe mechanism whereby. the subscriber is enabled to automatically signalhis number to central by removing the receiver from its supporting-hook.

In the telephone switch-box is placed a plate 110, formed of wood,vulcanized fiber, or other suitable non-conducting material and providedwith a number of contact buttons or plates 111, the numberbeingdifferent in each phone and corresponding to the number designatingthe subscriber. in the present instance five'of such contacts are shown,and each is independently connected to a wire 112, leading to abinding-post 113, which is connected by a wire 114- to the main-linewire 1. The several contacts 111 are arranged in the arc of a circle, atthe center of which is mounted the horizontal portion 115 of switchiarm116, saidhorizontalportion 115 passing through suitable guiding-openingsin abracket 117, which may be formed of stamped. metal manner to thebase'plate 110. The upper member of the switch-arm 116 is provided witha contactplate 117, which engages all of the contacts scriber.

at one end in such manner as to form a foot- 5 receiver-hook, and eachof the members of the passes through a guiding slot or opening formedby-bending 49fswitch-lever 116. The point .of attachment between thereceiver-hook and the trackway the nivot102-of th I lcause vthe contact117 to travel overall of the contact 117' remainingin constantengagement therewith d i'eceiverhook is up, ,tromagnet of the indicatingdevice at central scribers calling central.

it cannot be deenergized by 5 scriber.'

The wiring of the local-telephone may be that followed in ordinarypractice, and the diagram illustrates a common method of connecting thereceiver and transmitter, a local battery being introduced, in theprimary circuit, as usual.

-When a subscriber wishes to call central, he removes his receiver fromthe hook, and as the 111 as it is moved in an arcuate line across theboard, and the supporting-bracket, switcharm, and contact 117 I are allformed of conducting metal, the bracket being connected by a line-wire118 to a hinge 119 and the circuit extending through a wire 98 to theintermediate spring-contact 95. When the contact 95 engages the contact94, the circuit is completed through the wire 97, hinge 83, binding-post82, wire 81, and wire 73-to mainline wire 2, and as this circuitincludes the battery and indicating device at the central station themovement of the switch-arm across the, series of contacts 111 willalternately close and open the circuit a number of times correspondingto the number of contacts 111, and the responsive indicating device atcentral will show the number of the calling subthe-several contacts 111,closing the circuit through the battery and indicator at central anumber of times equal tothe number of contacts; In answering the centraloperator closes the circuit by means of a key or other suitable device anumber of times equal to the number of the subscribers phone and theelectromagnet 12 of the selecting mechanism is energized by the passageof a current from central battery, circuit-breaker, main-line wire 2,wire 73, binding-post 72, electromagnet 12, wire 29, binding-post 71,wire 29', to ground and from ground at central to battery. Afteritheresponsive-movement of the selecting mechanism the depending bar 24 ofthe latter moves the contact 26 into engagement with the contact 28, andcentral now holding the circuit closed for a considerable period oftime, divided at the binding-post 72, a portion passing as beforethrough the selecting-magnet box. Between the spaced members of the 12of the described circuit to ground, while trackway fits a roller 122,formed of any another portion of the current passes through material andprovided with extended hubs the wire 81, binding-post 82, hinge,83, wire1.23, which rest on the trackways under the 84, electromagnet 80, wire85, hinge 86, wire guard-wires 121,'the latter preventing any 87,binding-post 88, wire 89, binding-post70, upward movement of the roller.In one end wire 27, contacts 26 and'28, wire 29, bindingof the hub isinserted a headed pin 124, which post 71, wire 29, to ground and fromground at central to central battery, thus energizing the subscriberscall-bell. I When the subscribers call-bell is energized,

To operate the switch-arm automatically, there is attached to-thereceiver-hook 101 a trackway 120, formed of a pair of spaced bars of anysuitable material, the bars being bent piece for the passage of asecuring pin or screw by which the track is secured to the track isprovided with a guard 121. The track is centrally pivoted on a standard120', arrangedin the lower portion of the switchthe lower end of the isat that end farthest from the pivot-point of the receiver-hook, and whenthe receiver is removed and the hook-raised the trackway will be tiltedin such mannertas to cause the heavy roller 122 to travel in thedirection of e receiver-hook, and thus down and the depending portion 93of said arm engages the ofiset portion 96 of the spring-contact 96,forcing the latter into engage'meht with the contact 94 and moving thecontact 94 from engagementwith the contact 95. I now have acircuit'extending from central through wire ,2, wire 73, bindingpost 72,wire 81, binding-post 82, hinge 83, wire 97, contact 94, contact 96,wire 99, to a hinge 130 and thence to receiver-hook switch 101, wire132,,to the secondary ofthe local circuit, the receiver and wire 133, tobindingpost 113, wire 114, to the main-line wire 1, and return tocentral, or in case central has connected another subscriber in the linethe two connected subscribers may com municate with each other. I Theremaining portion of the local system i may be traced from local batteryto trans mitter, the primary coil of the inductorium, wire 132, toreceiver-hook switch 101. and re turn to battery.

It will be seen that under no circumstances. can a subscriber connecthis talkingbircurt to the contacts 111', the final of thecontacts 111"being somewhat broader than, the rest and uring all the time the so asto keep the elecstation energized and preventing another sub- It will bereadily understood in' this connection that as the electromagnet of thecentral indicating, de vice mustbe deenergized before it can again comerespensive to a call so long as a calling subscriber allows the hook toremain up and keeps the circuit closed the magnet of saidindicatingdcvice will be energized, and

any other sublatter moves up the contact 117 will ride over theenteringcurrent is normally disconnected from the main line,

means controlled bythe energizing of the cal l-bell magnets forplacingthe talking-circuit in communication with the main line, and aselecting means 'normallylconnected in the mainline and provided withmeans for closing the circuit through the electromagnets of thecall-bell.

2. In telephony, a system comprising a central station, and main lines,a plurality of local stations each including a transmitter, a

receiver, and a call-hell, the transmitter and receiver being normallycut out of the main line, means under the control of the magnets of thecall-hell for placing the talking-circuit in communication with the mainline, and a selecting means in constant communication with the main lineand controlling the energizing of the call-bell magnets.

- 3. 1n telephony, a central station, 'a main line, a selecting meansdisposed at each local station and normally in circuit with the mainline,a norm ally cut-out local talking-circuit at each station, anormally cut-out signaling means at each. station, said devices beingarranged to constitute a serial circuit-closing means in which theselecting mechanism controls the circuit of the signaling means and thesignaling means controls the talking-circuit.

In telephony, the combination .With a mainline and a plurality ofstations, of a serial circuit-closing means comprising a selectingmechanism, an" electromagnetic call-bell, receiving and transmittinginstruments included in a normally cut-out talking-circuit, meanscontrolled by these'lectin mechanism for closing the circuit throughthemagnetsof the call-bell, and means operable by the energizinglofthecall-bell magnets for placing the talking 7 oircuit'in' communicationwith the main line. v 1

5. In combination, a main line, and a plu rality of locals'tationsconnectedthereto, each of the local stations comprising a selectingmechanism in constantcommunication with the main hue and provided with ac1rcu1t-clos-'- ing means, an electromagnetic call-bell-nor-.

' mal'lyd'isconnected:fromthe main line and connected thereto by thecircuit closingmeans,

of the selecting mechanism, the magnets of the bell controllinga secondcircuit-closing means, and a normally disconnected talking circuit underthe control of said second circuit-closing means, whereby the selectingplaced in communication with the main line.

6, lln telephony, a central station and a main line, a plurality oflocal stations connected to the main line, a selecting mechanismarranged at each local station and normally connected tromagneticcall-bell disposed at each localstation and normally cut out of the mainline,

the selecting mechanism for placing the magnets and the call-bell incommunication with said main line,a normally cut-out local talkingcircuit, anol'means under the control of the electromagnet of the bellfor placing the talking-circuit in communication with the main line.

7. In telephony, a central station, a main;

' line and a plurality of local stations connected to the main line, anelectromagnetic call-bell ateach of the local stations, a normallycutout local talking-circuit. means under the con-' trol of thebell-electromagnets for placing said talking-circuit in communicationwith the ceiver-hook fol-restoring said circuit-closing means to lnitialposition.

line'and a plurality of local stations connected to themain line, anelectromagnetic call-bell at each station, a selecting mechanism forcontrolling the operation of said call-bell, a normally cut-out localtalking-circuit, a circuitclosing means under the control of thebellelectromagnets for placing the local talking- ,circuits incommunication with the main line, and means controlled by thereceiver-hook for restoring said circuit-closing means to initialposition.

line and a plurality of local stations on the main line, anelectromagnetic call-bell at each local station, aselecting means forcontrolling the operation of the call-bell, a normally cutout' localtalking; circuit, a circuit-closing means for placing" saidtalking-circuit in communication withthe main line, andapivotallymounted bar -.adapted to engage said circuitclosing means,said bar having-an armature arranged Within the field of force of thebellnection of the local talking-circuit with the main line. 7

- line and a, plurality of 'local' stations connectedv to the mainline,anelectromagnetic call-bell at each localstation, a. selecting meansconv mechanism and the call-bell magnets must first he energized before thetalking-circuit can be through ground to the central station, anelecmain line, and means controlled by the re-.

8. In telephony, a central station, a main electromagnets thereby topermit the simultaneous sounding of the call-bell and the'con- I 10. Intelephony, a central station, a main) trolling-the operation ofsaidcallsbell, anona circuit-closing means under the control of i I10 9.In telephony, a central station, a'main I mally cut-out local.talkingcircuit, a circuit 3 ture arranged'within the field of force ofthe memberiand adapted to engageall of the contaets on the tact, apivotally-mounted arm carrying said the bar to initial positionsignaling mechanism'comprising an oscillasignaling device comprising apivoted track connected to th contacts connec ed to the signal gravityfrom end to end thereof,- and a movthereof, a plurality of spaced thereceiver from the lower portion of said arm being bent to form anelongated slot or recess, a pin projecting from the roller and engagingsaid slotted portion or recess, a spring-contact carried by the-upperportion of the arm, and a plurality of spaced contacts connected in thesignaling-circuit and with which said springcontact engages on theremoval of the receiver from the hook.

16. In telephony, a rcceiver-hook-actuated signaling device comprising aplurality of spaced contacts connected to the signalingcircuit, therebeing in each of the local stations contacts of different number topermit the automatic signaling of thennmber of the station to central,the last of said contacts at, each station having I than the remainder,and a movable contact actuated by the up'wardmovement of thereceiver-hook and adapted to engage successively all of said contacts.

17. In telephony, the combination with an l'ectromagnetically operatedcall-bell, a pivotallymonnted arm, having an armature disposed Withinthe field of force of the electromagnets, a plurality of spring-contactsadapted to be engaged by the arm and connected partly in the signalingand'partly in the talking circuits,'the lower end of said armterminating in an inclined shoulder, a vertically movable bar connectedto the receiver-hook,

closing device for placing the talking-circuit in communicationwithxthemain line, apivotally-mounted bar adapted to engage the .circuit-closing means, said bar having an armaelectromagnets, and meanscontrolled by the movement of the receiver-hook for restoring and thuscutting out the local talking-circuit.

11. In telephony, a receiver-ho0k-actuated tory track, a member, carriedthereby and movable by gravity from end to end of the trac a pluralityofstationary contacts connected to the'signaling --circuit, and amovablecontact operatively connected tosaid movable removal of thereceiver from the hook. v 12. In fte'lephony,fa receiver-hook-actuated aplurality of ing-circuit, a movable by receiver-hook,

roller mounted on' the track and able contact operatively 'connected tothe roller and adapted to'engage the severalcon tacts when the receiveris removed from the ook. p I 13. In telephony, a receiver-h'ook-actuatedsignaling device comprising a pivotallymounted track connected toandmovable with the "receiver-hook, a roller mounted on the track andmovable by gravity from end to end contacts consignaling-circuit, amovable conof the bar and having a .ingthelower portion of the arm ingthe same to initial position.

18. In telephony, the combination with an electromagnetically-operatedcall-bell, of a' pivotally-mounted arm having an armature arrangedwithin the field of force of the elec': trornagnet, a plurality ofspringcontacts adapted to be engaged by'the arm and connected partly inthe signaling and partly in the talking circuit, the lower end of saidarm having a l1ori'/ ontally-disposed portion terminating in an inclinedshoulder, a vertically-movable bar operatively connected to thereceiver;hook, and a spring-tongue se- '-cu.red to the upper end of saidbar,the upper portion of the tongue being inclined to engage theinclined shoulder of the arm and the forward face of said tongue forminga cam for engaging with and restoring the arm to its initial position.

and returnnected to the movable contact and adapted to traverse thelatter over the spaced contacts, and means connecting saidpivotally-mounted. arm to the roller. l v

14. In telephony, a receiver-hook-actuated signaling device comprisingapivoted track, a roller mounted on the track and movable by gravity fromend to end thereof, an angularlybent arm having ahorizontally-disposedportion, a bearing or support with which thehorizontally-disposed portion of said armen gages, a spring-contactcarried by said arm, and a plurality of spaced contacts connected to thesignaling-circuit and with "whichsaid movablevcontact engageson-the'removal' of the hook. f

15. In telephony, a receiver-hook-actuated mechanism comprising apivoted trackway formed of a pair of spaced parallel bars, a rollerhaving extended hub portions mounted onsaid bars, a bracket havingbearing-openings, an angularly-bent arm having .a horizontal portionpassing through said openings,

my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of twoWitnesses.

WILLIAM DAVID WATKINS. Witnesses: A. M. BAXIER, LA VONE C. WVILLIAMs.

and a spring-tongue carried at the upper end cam-face t'or engag- Intestimony that I claim the foregoing as I a greater surface area

